The bridge of Axios River

The original railway bridge over the Axios River was constructed in 1908 to serve as a crossing linking the two riverbanks. Its life was short, as on October 20, 1912, it was blown up by the Ottoman Army. This forced the residents of Chalastra to connect sacks, barrels, and boats to create a floating bridge that allowed the Greek Army to cross. Between 1920 and 1935, the American organization The Near East Foundation Company built numerous bridges across Greece. In 1933, one of them was erected over the Axios River. Measuring 560 meters in length and 5 meters in width, it was considered a pioneering project that helped resolve flooding issues and contributed to the region’s economic growth. In 1941, the British destroyed the bridge. The Germans later restored it, only to blow it up again in 1944 during their retreat. In 1945, soldiers of the British Army’s 228th Battalion rebuilt the bridge in its previous form. It remained in use until 1990, when the new road network took over. After it was decommissioned, the bridge was left without maintenance and eventually collapsed, leaving behind large debris in the river. Pictured: The railway bridge over the Axios River in 1912. ©Municipal Photography Museum of Kalamaria ‘Christos Kalemkeris’.